If you needed another excuse to eat delicious Nasi Lemak, here’s one for you. Time magazine has hailed the tasty rice dish as one of the world’s top 10 healthy breakfast choices. You might not think of Nasi Lemak as healthy, but perhaps you should change your mind— or at the very least, consume more of it with a clear conscience.

Chili: Metabolism Booster

The sambal served as part of Nasi Lemak is made of chili. Many nutritionists claim that the chili acts as a metabolism booster, helping your body burn more calories more quickly. That’s good news if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Protein and Carbs: Fuel for Your Day

Another benefit of Nasi Lemak is the protein content. If you’re going to consume protein and fats, morning is the time to do it; that way your body has plenty of time to burn it off during the day. In fact, a protein-rich breakfast can actually help you perform better and feel more energized and alert throughout the day’s activities. The carbohydrates from the rice give you energy, too, fueling your body for work, study, or recreation.

Fats and Portion Control

In many cases, the food that tastes the best to you isn’t necessarily the best for your body. There’s a lot of fat in Nasi Lemak, which is why you may never have thought of it as a healthy dish to start your day. However, setting aside the fat content, which is a bit high, you’ll find that the dish is packed full of other beneficial ingredients and nutrients, such as manganese.

If you’re concerned about the fat content due to the richness of the coconut milk, simply cut back on the amount of rice you consume in one sitting. Portion control is key no matter what kind of food you’re eating. Plus, the eggs and anchovies that often accompany Nasi Lemak contain the good kind of fat that your body needs to function.

Styles of Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak has long been a Singaporean favourite, which is why we have Nasi Lemak catering in our menu. You probably know the traditional version, rice cooked with ginger, garlic, coconut milk, lemongrass stalks, and shallots. In the early days, cooks served up Nasi Lemak wrapped in fresh banana leaves, sometimes along with anchovies or Kangkong or whatever side items happened to be fresh and ready to hand. A more modern version of Nasi Lemak includes additional ingredients such as fried chicken wings, boiled eggs, barbequed fish, rendang, and other elements entering into the recipe.

Nasi Lemak at Eatz Catering

Here at Eatz Catering, we do several versions of the famous Singaporean dish. You can order the classic style of Nasi Lemak or try the Japanese bento version. There’s a vegetarian version for our patrons who don’t consume meat or for those who are dieting. You can even order an entire Nasi Lemak buffet spread if you’re hosting an event and you want to include some tasty comfort food.

Want to learn a bit more about Nasi Lemak and the Singapore catering options for your next event? Check out our recent blog post about the dish or explore our menu options.

Check out Time Magazine’s 10 Healthy International Breakfasts!